Portsea Twilight 2017

Portsea Twilight  

Saturday 4^th January 2017

http://events.solemotive.com/portsea-twilight/

Previous race report from 2016, see here;

http://360running.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/portsea-twilight-2016.html

Join one of Victoria’s iconic running events, the Portsea Twilight – Presented by Food For Health is on Saturday 7th January 2017. Run along one of Australia’s most scenic and challenging courses – boasting unparalleled breathtaking views of Bass Strait and Port Phillip.

Choose from the 4K run/walk, 8K along the roads and trails of Point Nepean National Park. Start your new year on the right foot and take in the undulating short, sharp hills and exquisite natural landscape at point Nepean.

Pre-race -

This will be a short report because 1) I’ve already written a post about it, and 2) It is a short race!

As mentioned last year, this is a tradition for Brad and I. Each year, we run Portsea Twilight and have dinner afterwards at The Rye Hotel. There is no pressure. Just an 8km tempo run along some of the most beautiful surroundings we have on the Peninsula. I love it!

Last year was a big deal for me. It was my first proper run in nearly 5 months (post hip surgery). I was elated when I crossed the finish line because I was so grateful to be running again. This year, I decided to run with Brad and enjoy it. With Two Bays a week later, I needed to keep some energy in reserve. I wanted to keep my heart rate low (I knew it would increase on the hills) and finish under 40min. However, at the end of the day… I really didn’t care about times. I just wanted to have some fun in the sun!

Race day -

Race day was hot! It was 38 degrees and we spent the day at the pools with our boys. I tried to avoid the sun because I had a nasty coldsore.

We left home a little later than usual (my mum looked after the kids). The drive was easy and we arrived at Portsea in under an hour. It was much quieter than previous years (I suspect the heat had something to do with that). The Facebook page stated the temperature must be less than 34 degrees or they would delay the start. When we left home at 5:15pm, the temperature was 37 degrees in Frankston South. By the time we arrived at the race precinct, it had dropped to under 30 degrees. It was hot but not unbearable.

I wore shorts, light singlet and compressions. And my new Garmin 235. I wore my iPod but suspected I wouldn’t use it. Brad was concerned he wouldn’t be able to keep up, so I took it just in case. I reassured Brad that our aim was sub 40min and he was more than capable of running that pace.

We started towards the front and ran the first-kilometre in 4:38min (Oops! Sorry Brad)… It is so easy to get carried away. We slowed down and ran the next few kilometres around 5min/km pace. Some were slower with the uphill and others were quicker with the downhill. Even though my heart rate increased (again the heat played a role), the inclines were much easier than previous years. The view running along Point Nepean is amazing and always makes me smile.

Around the 5km mark, we hit the flat gravel path and my heart rate began to settle. Brad struggled a little but managed to keep up, knowing we were so close to achieving our sub 40min. I encouraged him over the last few kilometres and we crossed the finish line together in 38:57 (15^th female out of 425). 

There were under 1000 participants in the 8km discipline (less than previous years). I was really happy with how we ran. I felt great.

Post race -

Like last year, we headed to The Rye Hotel for dinner. However, we made a decision that next time we will try something new (not many vegetarian options for me). 

The next day, we survived a recovery run (60min) in 34-degree heat! Although my heart rate sat a little higher than usual (HR 152 and 5/10 RPE).

Race feedback and will there be a next time -

I will always run Portsea Twilight. One day, I might have a crack! My best time was 34min (7.75km) in 2014. I would love to get back to that. My advice is run this event at least once in your life. I scored this run 8/10.